My grandmother, Maria Rosa Agostino was adopted in Gioiosa Jonica by the Simeri family. I see that on both her marriage certificate and her Ellis Island manifest, she is listed as Maria Rosa Prudente. Her marriage certificate lists no parents. I understand that an adopted child did not take on the last name of the new parents. My main question is who's surname would she have, the father's or the mother's, or, could Prudente be a name given to an illegitimate child. I know that they were sometimes given names with a stigma attached.

Itaslian women retain their identity which they obtain from their biological father. A womans' children assume the identity of the father but the woman always retains her maiden name. Now if you go to the home page of this very website you will see a discussion of TRACING ITALIAN LINEAGE OF ADOPTEES AND ACESTORS....... start at the top and scroll down until you see this heading. At the end of the first paragraph are >>> click on these for furhter discussion on adopting in Italy both past and present.
In this instant case Prudente would appear to be her biologicval fathers surname. Peter

If you go to the website www.paginebianche.it and p[ut in the surname PRUDENTE in the first line and RC (prov. of Reggio Calabria)) in the third line and click CERCA two postings will emerge. Two persons in the province surnamed Prudente by name,address and telephone number. I am furnishing you with this information should you lecet to communicate with them to request possible information about your grandmoithers background. Peter